BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Once upon a time in a zoo not so far away, there was a day for all children to dress up like their favorite storybook characters! On Saturday, September 17, the Zoo will turn into a magical land, with a day full of fun activities, including princesses, story time at multiple locations on grounds, face painting, glitter tattoos, and animal presentations.
Seven different costumed storybook characters will be on Zoo grounds from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Master Falconer Brian Bradley will return with his popular birds of prey show, Sky Hunters in Flight.
The day of fun and fantasy is sponsored by the Pediatric Care Alliance between Connecticut Children’s and Hartford HealthCare.
“We’re so happy to host Connecticut Children’s and Hartford HealthCare’s healthcare heroes and families at the Zoo and provide a fun and magical day for all children for the second year in a row,” said Gregg Dancho, Zoo director. “In addition to underwriting a fabulous family event, they’re also sponsoring our Zoomobiles this year, which travel to educate children in schools, camps, and other facilities about popular Zoo animals and other impactful STREAM activities.”
“Learning is so important to a child’s healthy development. We are proud to partner with the Zoo to offer an engaging day of learning in a safe and family friendly environment,” said Jim Shmerling, DHA, FACHE, President and CEO of Connecticut Children’s. “The Connecticut Children’s Pediatric Care Alliance with Hartford HealthCare is also excited to gift a book to every child who attends this year’s event. Literacy is a key driver for academic success, and we want to help every child to succeed this school year.”
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Adult admission (ages 12 & older) is $19.00, children (ages 3 -11) is $15.00, senior admission (62 and older) is just $15.00, and children under 3 years old are free. Zoo members also are admitted free. Parking at the Zoo is free of charge.
About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo
Let your curiosity run wild! Connecticut’s only zoo, celebrating its 100thth year, features 350 animals representing primarily North and South American and Northern Asian species. Guests won’t want to miss our Amur tigers and leopards, maned wolves, and Mexican gray wolves and red wolves. Other highlights include our Spider Monkey Habitat, the prairie dog exhibit, and the Pampas Plain with Giant anteaters and Chacoan peccaries. Guests can grab a bite from the Peacock Café and eat in the Picnic Grove. Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is a non-profit organization celebrating its Centennial year when the mission of helping fragile wildlife populations and eco-systems is more important than ever. Tickets must be purchased on the Zoo’s website at beardsleyzoo.org.
About Connecticut Children’s Pediatric Care Alliance with Hartford HealthCare
The Pediatric Care Alliance is a unique partnership between Connecticut Children’s and Hartford HealthCare. We work together to provide streamlined care for children and families when and where they need it — spanning infancy, childhood, adolescence and young adulthood, and transition to adult care. This partnership combines the specialize expertise of two powerful health systems and brings it to nearly 400 locations in the region. Families, their infants and children have access to the most experienced specialists, the most sophisticated technologies and the most helpful resources and support systems available. Learn more at:
https://www.connecticutchildrens.org/about-us/our-care-alliances/hartford-healthcare/
and
https://hartfordhealthcare.org/about-us/pediatric-care-alliance